My Literacy History

Goodnight Moon

1975

One of the first stories read to me regularly and it was an easy read. My mom modeled what it was to read a book and story was easy enough I was able to remember and imitate.

Felt/Flannel Board stories

1979

First memory of hearing stories and trying to repeat stories.

Really Rosie - Book/Movie/Record

1979

A Alligators All Around...One Was Johnny...

"For Frances" book and record

1980

I used to listen to the record and follow along.

Where the Wild Things Are - English/Spanish

1981

This book really made me start to use my imagination and i have this book still today.

The Giving Tree

1983

First book that had me thinking about what the story meant,

Hello Kitty Diary - start of my diary/journal writing

1984

This began my most memorable time when I began to write my thoughts on a regular basis. I still have this diary: misspelled words, changing in writing, using multiple lines to write, etc.

Shel Silverstein

1984

1984 to 1986 Required Classroom Readings Only

1984

I didn't enjoy reading very much on my own anymore. I only read what we had to for class.

A Wrinkle in Time

1986

Began to enjoy reading again after introduced to this book.

Their Eyes Were Watching God

1990

First time I was introduced to African American literature. This experience was saddening, exciting and eye opening to me.

The Color Purple - Alice Walker books

1990

Continued to be introduced to multiple African American authors and their stories.

1984

1991

I was introduced to books that were considered "classics" or important. After reading this book I wondered why everyone wasn't required to read this book.

Interview With A Vampire

1993

Found Anne Rice books and began to read all her books. First time I followed a particular author. My life was influenced by these books and made me want to travel to these places. I went to New Orleans.

Frida Kahlo

1994

Started reading biographies. Went to Mexico City.

Nemesis - Isaac Asimov

1995

First Sci-Fi genre book. Started my journey of being open-minded to all book suggestions from specific friends and family members.

Lord of the Rings Series

1997

I began to be interested in reading books that I might have missed reading when I was younger (ex. Chronicles of Narnia).

2000 to Current Nora Roberts

2000

First time I started reading what is considered "Romance Novels." Another influence on places I wanted to travel, traveled to Ireland.

Harry Potter

2000

Books in English - Kindle

2014

While in China I realized how important being able to read was when I couldn't find any books in English in the small town where I was teaching. This was my first time I began to use technology as a source for reading - I was skeptical at first.